Titans Rally, Get First Win, 35-25 : Calhoun Rushes for 204 Yards, 3 TDs; Stephenson Injured

Things looked well on their way to going from bad to worse for Cal State Fullerton Saturday night. The Titans, who claim to thrive on adversity, were having it served up in portions that seemed too big to swallow.

Their leading tackler was carted off the field in the second quarter. Their starting offensive guard--considered a pro prospect--limped off shortly thereafter with the second major knee injury of his career. And, for the third straight Saturday, their opponent was moving the ball with great success.

So where do the Titans get off winning? How can so much misfortune end in a 35-25, come-back-from-the-grave victory over Idaho State in Santa Ana Stadium? And why were there only 3,722 people in the stands to watch it all unfold?

Those who weren’t there for the first of Fullerton’s three (count ‘em, three) home games this season missed senior running back Rick Calhoun rush for 204 yards in 31 carries--both career bests--and score three touchdowns to lead the Titans to their first win of the season after two generally miserable defeats.

Senior guard Mark Stephenson and senior linebacker Bryan Riggs watched Fullerton’s comeback while on crutches. Both suffered season-ending knee injuries, Stephenson to his “good knee.”

But a suddenly rejuvenated defense and Calhoun’s best-ever collegiate performance were enough to overcome the odds and obstacles and give Fullerton a victory that Coach Gene Murphy said his players so desperately needed.

It was Calhoun’s 59-yard run immediately after the second-half kickoff that finally swung things in Fullerton’s favor. Calhoun found a big hole off right tackle and kept running until he was dragged down from behind at the Bengal one. Two plays later, Calhoun scored from one yard out. With 13:17 left in the third quarter, the Titans had a 21-17 lead and the momentum that had eluded them in losses in their first two games.

A snowball effect was born. Fullerton safety Tom Phillips stopped Bengal running back Merril Hoge inches short of a first down on a fake punt on Idaho State’s next possession.

Fullerton took over and, on fourth and seven from the Idaho State 36, Murphy elected to go for broke. Ronnie Barber, making his long-awaited first start as a major college quarterback, scrambled and found Todd White open on a deep post pattern and connected for a 36-yard touchdown that gave Fullerton a 28-17 lead.

Said Murphy, reflecting on what seemed like quite a gamble: “We were 0-2 going into this game. We’ll be conservative some other time.”

Barber, who was named to replace sophomore Tony Dill as the starting quarterback earlier this week, completed 7 of 16 passes for 121 yards and 1 touchdown to help the Titans compile a season-high 376 yards in total offense. But the junior transfer from El Camino College was more concerned with the final score than with his passing statistics. “This game right here meant the world for us,” he said.

All things considered, Fullerton was fortunate to leave the field at halftime trailing only 17-14. Idaho State scored on its first two possessions and the Titan defense that was so manhandled in losses to Nevada Reno and New Mexico State was being taken apart by Gino Mariani and his “Throwin’ Idahoans.”

It began with the Bengals’ first play from scrimmage. Mariani found Hoge unguarded for a 20-yard gain. On the following play, Butch Caston took advantage of two missed Fullerton tackles for a 16-yard run to the Titan 43. Two plays into the game, Idaho State was averaging 18 yards per snap.

Hoge’s 13-yard run on a draw play put the ball on the Fullerton 21. Mariani hit Caston over the middle on the next play for a 21-yard touchdown pass to complete a six-play, 79-yard drive.

Following a Fullerton punt, Idaho State drove from its 20 to the Fullerton 12 before settling for a 29-yard field goal by Rene Weitmann that gave the Bengals a 10-0 lead with 5:08 left in the first quarter.

Jason Gault intercepted a Barber pass on Fullerton’s next possession, giving the Bengals the ball on their 46. Seven plays later, Mariani had them at the Fullerton 8, threatening to bury the Titans in an early 17-point hole.

But on third and 10 from the Titan eight, Mariani threw the ball into the hands of Fullerton rover Trent Baker, who had nothing but unoccupied turf in front of him. Baker returned the interception a school-record 97 yards for the Titans’ first touchdown. Suddenly, Fullerton had a thread of momentum.

Mariani quickly ripped that away by moving the Bengals 65 yards in just four plays to extend their lead to 17-7. A 23-yard pass play from Mariani to Shawn Beals set up Corky Federico’s 17-yard touchdown run at the 14:13 mark of the second quarter.

Fullerton’s offense responded with its first legitimate drive of the season, covering 74 yards in nine plays without the use of a fake punt or halfback option, two staples in the Titans’ loss to New Mexico State last week. Barber threw on the run to White for a 25-yard gain to the Idaho State 39, then Calhoun broke free off left tackle for a 22-yard gain. Four plays later, Calhoun scored from six yards out and Len Strandley’s extra point cut Idaho State’s lead to 17-14 with 11:17 left in the first half.

Momentum had returned and the Titan defense used it to force three punts and one turnover on Idaho State’s next four possessions.

Murphy didn’t seem particularly surprised that the Titans were able to overcome all the adversity. “That’s kind of been the M.O. that we’ve had,” he said.

It looked like a different team from the one that opened the season by losing to Nevada Reno, 49-3. Baker, whose interception return for a touchdown helped keep Fullerton in the game, said it was.

“This is us,” he said. “We beat ourselves then.”